CORRESPONDENCE.



THE WAXWING AND THE PERSIAN BULBUL.


Sir,— May I ask what is the correct food for, and treatment of, the

Bohemian Waxwing in confinement, and if it is not a very hardy bird, more

suited to outdoor than indoor life ?


Also food and treatment of the Persian Bulbul, and what are the

distinguishing features by which the real singing one may be identified ?

I think I remember reading somewhere an article by Dr. Butler, in which

he stated either that the Persian variety was the only one possessing a

sweet song, or that there were two varieties of Persian, one much superior

to the otlieju


A. A. Pearson.



The following answer has been sent to Mr. Pearson :


The Waxwing should be fed upon hips and haws, all kinds of small

fruits ; soft food, consisting of breadcrumbs two parts, potato boiled at

least one day previous!)' one part, ants’ cocoons and yolk of egg, of each

one part ; also liemp-seed and mealworms or other insects.


Waxwings are very thirsty and therefore dirty birds ; they seldom or

never wash, and require a large cage and much attention to keep them clean

and in health.


The Persian Bulbul is the most musical and charming of all birds of

the genus Pycnonotus ", but its Western Indian race is very inferior, is smaller

and sings rather poorly.


The true Persian bird is of about the same size as the Red-vented

Bulbul. The staple food should consist of breadcrumbs, ants 1 cocoons and

yolk of egg moistened either with potato or grated carrot; but fruit should

be given daily and young lettuce chopped up, when obtainable ; also meal¬

worms and other grubs, or spiders.


A. G. Buteer.



BLOSSOM-HEADED PARRAKEETS.


Sir. —I should be glad if you could furnish me with a few hints as to

the management of Blossom-headed Parrakeets. The birds I have are,

apparently, a couple of young ones with lavender-coloured heads, and

minus tails.


The food I am giving is canary and hempseed, but as I have already

lost one young bird (possibly from the effects of the voyage) I am

anxious to treat the others correctly.


I suppose one has to wait a good while before the full adult plumage

is donned.


I have them in rather small cages at present,, but intend turning



